Inside information on Moz, Marr & management

[Fact Checker]

big indie labels ? Does it mean labels like Rough Trade , 4 AD, Maverick , Domino…?

I can't see any UK label touching him now. 10 years ago, certainly, and 20 years ago Geoff Travis said he would be happy to sign him again.

An earlier comment implied this would be a classic "label" reactivated for him, like Attack, Major Minor etc. Dunno what a US equivalent of that would be... Verve Records?

 

[pretorius]

Thanks for the post and info, very sad to read indeed, hopefully he wakes up and see's sense

 

[Odbmke]

If Galli really went out of his way to get all this on the table and Morrissey still turned the offer down, why would anybody else even bother to attempt this?

Exactly. There was one deal left in the pond, and Galli caught it. I’ve heard this many times by managers who have had meetings with him over the years: he thinks the managers “juice” is the only thing needed to get a huge deal. He totally discounts that his past behavior might play a role in anything.

On another note, back in 2002 I had occasion to spend a few days around Howie Klein (WB promo exec, mentioned in Autobiography) and he had nothing but great things to say about Moz, but he did say something that really hit me at the time and sounded insane, but now, 22 years on, makes a lot more sense to me. He said, essentially, that M is convinced he is going to die broke and forgotten. Sadly, he seems determined to make that happen.

 

[Anonymous]

Exactly. There was one deal left in the pond, and Galli caught it. I’ve heard this many times by managers who have had meetings with him over the years: he thinks the managers “juice” is the only thing needed to get a huge deal. He totally discounts that his past behavior might play a role in anything.

On another note, back in 2002 I had occasion to spend a few days around Howie Klein (WB promo exec, mentioned in Autobiography) and he had nothing but great things to say about Moz, but he did say something that really hit me at the time and sounded insane, but now, 22 years on, makes a lot more sense to me. He said, essentially, that M is convinced he is going to die broke and forgotten. Sadly, he seems determined to make that happen.

I'd say it's unlikely he'll die broke, unless he's really, really determined to die broke. As to being forgotten, there's no way Morrissey will be forgotten - a hundred years from now, his lyrics will have stood the test to time, more so than any other pop/rock lyricist (including Dylan).

 

[Odbmke]

I'd say it's unlikely he'll die broke, unless he's really, really determined to die broke. As to being forgotten, there's no way Morrissey will be forgotten - a hundred years from now, his lyrics will have stood the test to time, more so than any other pop/rock lyricist (including Dylan).

He still makes Mike serve him with papers twice a year when the royalty statements come out.

 

[gashonthenail]

He said, essentially, that M is convinced he is going to die broke and forgotten. Sadly, he seems determined to make that happen.

I don't believe that for a second. His net worth is estimated to be about $50 million.

 

[Odbmke]

I don't believe that for a second. His net worth is estimated to be about $50 million.

Of course it literally won't happen, but it's the mindset. Self-Sabotage. Thoughts become reality.

 

[Surface]

I don't believe that for a second. His net worth is estimated to be about $50 million.

Not sure those net worth sites are very accurate, they carry a note at the bottom of the page -

All net worths are calculated using data drawn from public sources. When provided, we also incorporate private tips and feedback received from the celebrities or their representatives. While we work diligently to ensure that our numbers are as accurate as possible, unless otherwise indicated they are only estimates. We welcome all corrections and feedback using the button below

 

[Gareth Keenan]

I don't believe that for a second. His net worth is estimated to be about $50 million.

No chance
His only income is from concerts and ssigned vinyl at £250 a throw

 

[gashonthenail]

Not sure those net worth sites are very accurate, they carry a note at the bottom of the page -

All net worths are calculated using data drawn from public sources. When provided, we also incorporate private tips and feedback received from the celebrities or their representatives. While we work diligently to ensure that our numbers are as accurate as possible, unless otherwise indicated they are only estimates. We welcome all corrections and feedback using the button below

I would be surprised if it was far off that amount. Unless he has made some really bad investment decisions.

 

[The Alchemist]

I'd say it's unlikely he'll die broke, unless he's really, really determined to die broke. As to being forgotten, there's no way Morrissey will be forgotten - a hundred years from now, his lyrics will have stood the test to time, more so than any other pop/rock lyricist (including Dylan).

More so than Dylan? Really?

That's a very strong statement.

It's a debate that could run and run, so maybe let's not open it here. I appreciate both Dylan's and Morrissey's lyrical prowess for different reasons. I could probably write a book comparing the two.

 

[ZOOM FROM GLOOM]

I would be surprised if it was far off that amount. Unless he has made some really bad investment decisions.

well, if Mozi ever gets kicked out of the Sunet Marquis, for unpaid bills, he can always ….

 

[Thewlis]

More so than Dylan? Really?

That's a very strong statement.

It's a debate that could run and run, so maybe let's not open it here. I appreciate both Dylan's and Morrissey's lyrical prowess for different reasons. I could probably write a book comparing the two.

I'd buy it!

I'm surprised there are no new books on Morrissey anyway, certainly the last 10-15 years alone would deserve some great insightful biography.

 

[gashonthenail]

No chance
His only income is from concerts and ssigned vinyl at £250 a throw

He would almost certainly have money in investments etc. That generates an income and contributes to net worth, as does real estate. He bought and then sold a property in Hollywood. They don't come cheap.

 

[The Alchemist]

He said, essentially, that M is convinced he is going to die broke and forgotten. Sadly, he seems determined to make that happen.

This is romantic, and probably hot air to an extent. I'd imagine it stems from what he understands and/or feels about the romantic poets. Particularly Keats, who died presuming all was lost, that his work was in vain, and that he would be forgotten - 'here lies one whose name was writ in water'.

Morrissey might secretly be convinced he faces a similar fatalistic outcome, but it's just not realistic in his case. The degree of success however, is a different thing. He may be convinced that he will pass at a time when he is not enjoying the level of success and recognition he feels he deserves.

He is just very predisposed to fatalism, and amongst other things he should maybe try giving French Poetic Realist cinema a rest for a while, to see if he feels any better about things!

As for money, unless he is trying to burn through it intentionally, or doing very frivolous things, it's not likely he could spend it all. What does he need it all for anyway, and what is he doing with it all? Apart from being decadent? Is it just one of the main ways he can quantify or justify his importance or deserving merit? I think money for him is some form of self-validation, to the extent that his quest for money has become increasingly more intense (and the equal and opposite fear of losing it equates to some sort of deep failure of the self)

It's possible he is living beyond his means, as Wilde did, but I just can't see him finding himself in dire straits like Oscar did (I don't mean the band!)

There are a few other things that are probably on his mind beyond career and material success though. Possibly no life partner.... No children... No other significant close family remaining... Friends dwindling... Who will take on custody and stewardship of his catalogue and legacy? Who is going to execute his will and deal with his estate? Lawyers? Will there be a funeral.... If there is one, who will be invited (if anyone).... and how many of those will attend.

Will all or most of his money go to PETA? The speculation is endless.

 

[The Alchemist]

I'd buy it!

I'm surprised there are no new books on Morrissey anyway, certainly the last 10-15 years alone would deserve some great insightful biography.

Very true, hopefully we can look forward to interesting new material being published in the future.

One thing I will say that Dylan definitely has, is Negative Capability - in spades. That is one factor that immediately works in his favour if we were looking at a definition of true poesy. He very obviously dwells in a state of openness to all experience.

Bob Dylan as songwriter (Chapter 3) - The Cambridge Companion to Bob Dylan

The Cambridge Companion to Bob Dylan - February 2009

www.cambridge.org

"as long as we're talking about Shakespeare, another remarkable aspect of Dylan's songwriting is the “negative capability” it embodies - that is, as Keats said referring to a quality of Shakespeare's work, “when a man is capable of being in uncertainties, mysteries, doubts, without any irritable reaching after fact and reason” (letter of December 21, 1817, quoted in Noyes 1211)."

 

[Gareth Keenan]

He would almost certainly have money in investments etc. That generates an income and contributes to net worth, as does real estate. He bought and then sold a property in Hollywood. They don't come cheap.

Didn't he sell the house for about $4m ?
Staying in 5 star hotels isn't cheap.
His mum owned Beechmount , although he no doubt purchased it. Whether that estate will go to him or his sister - who knows?
I'm sure he won't own too much in UK.
Sure he isn't worrying about paying his gas bill but £50m seems too big figure for me?

 

[Cornflakes]

There's no way of even roughly guessing Morrissey's bank balance. Any given tour might end with him collecting suitcases of cash or it might end with a loss. We have no idea.

 

[gashonthenail]

Didn't he sell the house for about $4m ?
Staying in 5 star hotels isn't cheap.
His mum owned Beechmount , although he no doubt purchased it. Whether that estate will go to him or his sister - who knows?
I'm sure he won't own too much in UK.
Sure he isn't worrying about paying his gas bill but £50m seems too big figure for me?

Not sure what he sold it for. But the S&P 500 averages 10% return per year, so a $4 million index fund could provide $400,000 annually. There was a time where Moz could sell out Madison Square Garden in record time. He has money in the bank, no doubt.

 

[Anonymous]

I'd buy it!

I'm surprised there are no new books on Morrissey anyway, certainly the last 10-15 years alone would deserve some great insightful biography.

Hopefully we'll get a second volume of his Autobiography - or at least a second edition, expanded and updated with fresh bile and score-settling.